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January 23, 2014January 23, 2014

Introduction to GEOG 495:Introduction to GEOG 495:The Geographies of Climate ChangeThe Geographies of Climate Change

Big picture items

• Weather is short-term state of atmosphere @ a particular region

• Climate is long-term average weather pattern in a particular region(land, ocean, atmosphere, water in 3 forms and living organisms=climate system)

• General circulation of atmosphere – winds transport heat from equator toward poles

• Oceans influence climate and weather- moderate temperatures & transport heat

• Ocean problems -> anoxia (lack of oxygen), acidifications, warming

• Greenhouse effect

Big picture items continued:

• Past 200 years human activities via fossil fuel consumption and land-use changes have increased all greenhouse gases ->+ ~0.8°C (1.4°F)

• CO2 once in atmosphere causes climate change for ~1000 years (retention time)

• Key example of positive feedback-> +1°C (1.8°F) change in atmospheric temperature caused by CO2 will stimulate water vapor increase causing another +1°C (1.8°F) temperature increase (positive feedback)

• Some aerosols (solid-vapor or liquid droplets-vapor mixture) in atmosphere and some clouds scatter sunlight offsetting warming to some degree, not all aerosols and not all clouds scatter sunlight (or equally scatter)

• Currently cars, trucks and buses are the greatest contributors to atmospheric warming

• 34 billion tons of carbon dioxide released into atmosphere annually from industrialization and deforestation

U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) coordinates climate change activities of 13 federal departments & agencies

Source: “Climate Literacy: The Essential Principles of Climate Science”http://www.globalchange.gov/resources/educators/climate-literacy

7 principles:

1)Sun is primary source of energy for Earth’s climate system

2)Climate is regulated by complex interactions among components of the Earth system.

3)Life on Earth depends on, is shaped by, and affects climate.

4)Climate varies over space and time through both natural and human-made processes.

5)Observations, theoretical studies and modeling improve our understanding of the climate system.

6)Human activities are affecting the climate system.

7)Climate change will have consequences for Earth system and human lives.

Animations and Videos

Global Circulation of the Atmospherehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHrapzHPCSA

Atmospheric Circulationhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXuGYSM2D8k

Ocean Currentshttp://www.montereyinstitute.org/noaa/lesson08.html

Temperatures & Anomalies in Arctichttp://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/ArcticIce/Images/temp_anomaly_lrg.mov

Six Decades of a Warming Earthhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaJJtS_WDmI

Thawing Permafrost-Changing Planthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN4OdKPy9rM

Water Cycle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPJYPo2qhOM

Coral Winners http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3576802.htm

Animations and Videos continued:

NASA, “A Warming World” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjFz1FCKfT8

Global Warning what you need to know….http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcVwLrAavyA Ocean Pollution http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxZs0B5yqqo

Coral Story http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WH_6PgNIQI

Vital Role of the Oceans http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayb7zpXSs0g&feature=player_embedded

Speed of Ocean Change http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Giua4EmwPgw&feature=player_embedded#at=12

An Overview of Threats http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=sup3XxHmBoo

NSA Scientist James Hansen talks about the urgency of the climate crisis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0hHlxaYNb0&feature=related